Newt is as stupid as he looks
No, he isn't. He's vile, contemptible and evil, maybe. But he's not stupid.
People are making a huge mistake by listening to *what* he said and reacting to
that.
What's important is *why* he said it (and why so many others are saying - or are going to say - the same sorts of things).
(Correction: Newt IS vile, contemptible and evil - no "maybe" about it.)
it represents the official media statement of the establishment. Other talking heads have been saying the same thing - it's a unified front from the GOP to try to further marginalize us.
THIS^^ is the correct interpretation. The Establishment is desperate to prevent the liberty movement from gaining ANY credibility in the eyes of "normal" people. And THAT is what this and all the RNC shenanigans are *really* all about.
THAT is why - to cite just one example - they refused to announce the votes that Ron Paul got from each state delegation. If they had treated Ron Paul as if there was nothing special about him - as if he was just another candidate, like any other - they would have given a great deal of "social credibility" to Ron Paul and his supporters.
They dare not do any such thing. It would be a complete and utter disaster for the Establishment if Ron Paul's ideas ever gain significant social credibility.
So by claiming that "90% of Ron Paul supporters will vote for Romney," Gingrich and others are NOT trying to make an observation (correct or incorrect) about something that they think is going to happen. Whether the statement is true or false is *completely* beside the point.
They are atempting to defuse any social credibility Ron Paul's ideas might have gained by reassuring mainstream Republicans that most of this kooky man's kooky supporters have hopped on board the Romney Train. The "ten percent" who aren't are "obviously" incorrigible kooks and can be dismissed as such, thus further depriving Ron Paul's ideas of social credibility.
It isn't about speaking the truth or being right. It isn't about having the facts on your side. It isn't about persuading people with well-reasoned intellectual arguments.
It's about exploiting (most) peoples' desire to avoid feeling that they are outside the borders of consensus opinion.
Gingrich & Co. are manipulative, cunning, and evil. But people who think Gingrich & Co. are clueless are ... well, clueless.